LEIGH Osborne’s debut may have flown under the radar, but his climb to the AFL mountain should be celebrated after taking a leap of faith with the Frankston Dolphins. 

Just two years ago the fearless defender was working as a tradesman, playing weekend football with his local East Ringwood Football Club in the Eastern Football League.

At season’s end, he tried his luck with the VFL-affiliated Dolphins, and well the rest, is history.

Rising to become one of the most touted VFL Premiership players in the AFL stronghold, Osborne was given an opportunity to carve a pathway to the AFL with a rookie-listing on the GC SUNS playing roster.

On Sunday, in front of almost 18,000 fans at Etihad Stadium, Osborne bore the Club Guernsey for the first time and said it was great to get out there and taste the joys of AFL action.

“It was great to get it out of the way and play my first AFL match,” he said.

“It was completely different to that of a NEAFL game, with the intensity stepped up to a completely new level.”

Osborne is hopeful he’ll be able to build on his debut match with a back-up selection against Greater Western Sydney this weekend.

“Hopefully I’ll get another chance to perform in the seniors against the Giants this Saturday.”

“We respect every AFL opposition we come up against and know the Giants are going to be tough to beat, so we need to come out and take them on from the first bounce.”